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What happens in D.C.: 2017 PEC Youth Tour delegates tell all!

Jul 10, 2017

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Ten local area high school students embarked on a journey to learn more about our nation's government this summer as PEC's representatives in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Youth Tour program.

Each year, PEC holds an essay contest for students in grades 10-12 and sends the winners on an all-expenses-paid summer trip to Washington, D.C. In July, our delegates joined about 1,500 students from electric cooperatives all across America to explore U.S. history through museums, monuments and memorials. They even met some of our U.S. representatives and senators (including our vice president)!

Furthermore, these bright teens created everlasting friendships and will cherish the many memories they've made this summer.

Take a trip down memory lane with our delegates, and see what they took away from this incredible experience!

Click images to enlarge.

"When you combine these wonderful people and close friends that I made with everything we did in D.C., the trip really did exceed my expectations, and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would recommend to anyone in the future."

Michael Martinets, Dripping Springs High School

"The memories I took back with me are something I can't get from just visiting Washington, D.C. The people you meet and interact with make this the experience of a lifetime. I stepped out of my comfort zone to make friends and, best of all, I came back with newfound pride for our nation."

Valerie Martin (right), Leander High School

"I was very excited to see the Arlington National Cemetery, where my grandfather is buried. I haven't been able to visit his grave in almost three years, so it was a very special experience for me to be able to go and visit him."

Tinsley Glenn (left), Dripping Springs High School

"Everyone enjoyed seeing ["Shear Madness"] at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and it was really funny."

Mahek Dhuka (second from right), Leander High School

"[Vice President Mike Pence] walked our way, and I stuck out my hand with a smile on my face, and we shook hands. It was a moment that probably won't ever happen again in my life, and I will never forget."

Megan Gillam (left), Jack C. Hays High School

"My favorite part about the trip was our packed schedule. We were constantly viewing monuments and museums that were all significant, and I appreciated the many opportunities we were given. From the 10 days we were there, I was impacted greatly and my views on many political topics expanded."

Callie Fleming (right), Jack C. Hays High School

"As soon as I arrived and met so many new, outgoing and interesting people, I realized I was going to be able to make friends on this trip. Everyone was so welcoming and years from now, whenever I think about this trip: I won't think about what I saw, but I will remember the friends and the people I met."